In this weeks Author Spotlight, I met up with the hugely talented, S.J.
Francis, author of Shattered
Lies, a Mainstream, Women's Fiction novel.
What is your book about?
Officially,
Shattered Lies is women’s fiction/mainstream, but that is just the label the
publishers gave it. For me, Shattered Lies is also contemporary, family saga,
epic. In fact, I hate the labeling since everyone can read this book.
Shattered
Lies is about a family torn apart by secrets and lies and the aftermath of
those secrets and lies coming to light. Shattered Lies focuses on a family and
the aftermath of what happens when long buried secrets and lies surface:
She wants to
know the truth, but some secrets might be better left alone…
Kate Thayer has
a good life as a veterinarian, running the family horse farm—until she uncovers
an act of unimaginable treachery by those she trusted most and learns that
everything she knew about herself was a lie. Her paternal grandmother, the
woman who raised her, is behind a number of devastating secrets Kate is
compelled to discover. But the deeper she digs, the more betrayal she finds,
changing her life in ways she could have never foreseen.
What inspired you to write this book?
Oh, I wish I had
a magical answer for this one. There was no inspiration for Shattered Lies. It
was just an idea, a one line sentence I came up with. What if? What if a young
woman in a seemingly perfect family with a perfect life was to discover her
entire life was a lie? That’s how a lot of my ideas form. I think of a question
and before you know it, I have a book idea. Shattered Lies was always going to
be set down south. I just never knew where until I moved to Mississippi. When I
moved there, Shattered Lies basically wrote itself. The end result of it all
could never have been foreseen from what I imagined it would be.
Who is your favourite, and least favourite, character in the book?
In a way I love
all the characters for their individuality, their strengths and their
weaknesses. To answer the question, though, my favortite character in Shattered
Lies has to be my protagonist, Kate Thayer. Her perfect life is turned upside
down, she carries her own secret, but through it all, she has to do the right
thing no matter what it costs her. You can't help but admire her.
My least
favorite character is definitely Gary Edmonton the lawyer.
What draws you to this genre? Do you write in any other genre?
I didn’t choose
the genre. I think the genre chose me. I’ve actually written more than a dozen
novels over the last several years, but Shattered Lies, a women’s
fiction/mainstream/family saga is the first one I actively sought to publish.
All my novels seem to fall into this genre and they all share the same dynamic:
Families, families with secrets and lies. Not necessarily conventional
families, but all families.
They say to
write what you know, or write what you want to know. I write both and what I
care about. I care about people, people in families, and families with secrets
and lies. Hence, my genre chose me.
Is this a standalone book, or can we expect more?
It's a stand-alone
book with a stand-alone sequel forthcoming. One doesn't have to read one in
order to read the other.
Tell me about you and what drew you to writing? Are there any authors who inspired you to become a writer yourself?
Actually, I
began writing for publication before any writers ever inspired me. Afterwards,
though, every writer I’ve read has had an influence, somehow on my writing,
including the guest authors I’ve hosted on my writing blog, but the biggest
influences was the late great Jackie Collins, romance author Leigh Michaels,
and Multi-Published author Heather Neff. They’re all distinctly different in
their writing styles, but all are great writers that inspired me.
Other than your own book, what is your favourite novel?
Oh my, that is a
difficult question. I love so many books. I have no one genre that I prefer
over another. I love to read everything and anything that interests me. Therefore,
I find I can't choose just one. I enjoy books by Jackie Collins, John Grisham
and Agatha Christie to name a few.
Have you written other books we should know about?
To date, I’ve
written over a dozen novels, but Shattered Lies is the first one I actively
sought for publication.
If you could advise aspiring writers on only one aspect of authordom, what would your advice be?
Though, I’ve been
writing since 1983, I’m still learning. Never stop learning. Never stop
reading. Never stop writing. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t. As long
as you believe you can write, you can. Discouragement hides behind every
corner. You are going to want to quit. Don’t. Never give up. Never let fear
win. Never. For the day you do, you will give up. There are so many ways to get
your work published now. There’s no better time to write than now. As the late,
great Jackie Collins once told me when I needed encouragement the most, “Keep
your writing passion on fore.” Never let life get in the way of your writing.
Where can we find your book?
Where can we find out more about you?
and of course My blogs -
This sounds like a captivating book. I love stories like this. I can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteOooh - looks like a great book! I love the mystery of the secrets! Wonder what the family will do with all of these secrets and how it will change their lives!
ReplyDeleteKaren | GlamKaren.com
Time to download a book...I am home today with two sick kids and I need a chance to escape :) I hope it's available on kobo.
ReplyDeleteHi Heather!
DeleteYes, it's available on Kobo and every on-line retailer as paperback and ebook. Do hope you enjoy!
Cheers! S.J. Francis
This looks really good! I am going to have to download it and have a reading day today!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to recommend it to my book club and see what they think. I love books that mimick real life.
ReplyDeleteHello Terri!
DeleteThanks for taking the time to visit and comment. I guarantee you that my novel, Shattered Lies mimics real life. Too real, perhaps, for some, but never the less a reflection of our life, our times.
Cheers!
S.J. Francis
I was so sad to hear about Jackie Collin's she was a fantastic writer. I like that you centre the novel around family dynamics I believe that is truly relatable.
ReplyDeleteHello Ana! I concur. Jackie Collins was a great storyteller and will be missed. Family dynamics play a role in everything I right. Can you think of anything more intriguing to write about? Thanks for taking the time to visit and leave a comment!
DeleteCheers!
S.J. Franics
Hi TP Keane! Thanks for the interview and sharing news about my book, Shattered Lies. FYI: The book cover has just been redesigned and is uploading slowly all over the web.
ReplyDeleteHope everyone gets to read it wherever you're able to find it.
It is available everywhere on-line as a paperback and e-book. Some libraries in Mississippi have it as well as some indie booksellers.
Cheers!
S.J. Francis
It was an absolute pleasure to have you. Looking forward to seeing the new cover.
DeleteI loved Virginia Andrews as a teen and this sounds a similar genre. I'll definitely check it out!
ReplyDeleteEveryone has secrets . . . This sounds very interesting to read. I will have to pencil it in!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds familiar. Seems like I've read a book like this before and I loved it. I may pick this one up as well. I just read where she said she was inspired by Jackie Collins, she was also one of my faves.
ReplyDeleteOh I love mystery books like this! It sounds really interesting, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love books like these. They are so interesting and this sounds great. I might even go and make a purchase :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book. Family sagas can appeal to everyone. I love that. We all can relate somehow.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like an interesting book! Perfect for a summer reading list.
ReplyDeleteThis books sounds great. I'm always looking for new reads. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletePerfect summer reading! I'm going to add this to my reading list!
ReplyDeleteOh this sounds like a great book! I hate labels on books too, I think that often books can fit into so many different genres.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good book. I love the advice she shares for aspiring writers. It's all great advice for anyone.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really fascinating book! I love how she said the genre chose her. I love reading about family dynamics, so I'll have to check out this novel!
ReplyDeleteVery intregiued and definitely mystyle going to check this out now ! I'm always looking for new reads
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great read, I'll be adding it to my reading list. I couldn't agree with the author more about learning. We should never stop learning...ever!
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds good. I am going to put this on my list for sure!
ReplyDeletethis sounds like a book full of suspense. my daughter may love this as she recently started getting into suspense books
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome post and an even more awesome interview. The book is really worth looking into based on what is said here
ReplyDeleteLooks like an awesome book and a great interview!! p.s. love the new look of your page. ;)
ReplyDeleteI love a book that is surrounded by juicy secrets! Sounds like a great read and intense.
ReplyDeleteAwesome Q&A! Thanks for sharing even though the book is not in the usual genere of my reading list. :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really great read. I love a book that has a little mystery to it. I definitely want to know what that family secret is!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much to everyone for taking the time to visit and leaving a comment. S.J. Francis, author here. Shattered Lies has lots of secrets and suspense, but it isn't a mystery, thriller or suspense. It just is life and family dynamics.
ReplyDeleteHope everyone is able to pick up a copy. Some libraries in Mississippi do have it, as some book stores. On-line retailers have it in ebook and paperback.
Cheers!
S.J. Francis
Wow! This books sounds really good! I read mostly YA books but I think I would really enjoy this one! Thanks for the review!
ReplyDelete